Bruce Davidson: Subway | 
 enlarge | Author: Arthur Ollman
Creators: Henry Geldzahler, Fred Brathwaite, Bruce Davidson
Publisher: St. Ann's Press
Category: Book
Buy New: $416.70
New (8) Collectible (4) from $321.25
Avg. Customer Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 670204
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 132
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.1
Dimensions (in): 12.2 x 9.9 x 0.8
ISBN: 097136818X
Dewey Decimal Number: 770
EAN: 9780971368187
ASIN: 097136818X
Publication Date: April 2, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Condition: First edition thus (originally published in 1986 by Aperture Foundation, Inc.), first printing. Hardcover. Fine gray cloth, with title stamped in black on front cover and spine, with photographically illustrated dust jacket. Photographs, text, a technical note and edited by Bruce Davidson. Foreword by the original graffiti artist Fred Brathwaite (aka Fab 5 Freddy). [New] Introduction by Arthur Ollman. Original essays from the 1986 edition by Bruce Davidson and Henry Geldzahler. Designed by Paul McMenamin at SPINE. 126 pp., with 102 four-color plates, beautifully printed on fine art paper by drukkerij Mart.Spruijt bv, The Netherlands, from separations made by John Robinson, HERLIN/GIST INC. This first St. Ann's Press edition was limited to 5000 hardbound copies. This is an expanded version of the book that was originally published in 1986. Out of print. CONDITION: New in publisher's shrink-wrap. From the publisher: "Since the ground was broken, New York City's subway system has been the
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Since ground was first broken, New York City's subway system has been the stuff of living legend--and a source of inspiration and fear. This dark, democratic environment provided the setting for photographer Bruce Davidson's first extensive series in color, originally published in 1986. In it, subway riders are set against a gritty, graffiti-strewn background, displayed in tones Davidson described as "an iridescence like what I had seen in photographs of deep-sea fish." Never before had the subway been portrayed in such detail, revealing the interplay of its inner landscape and outer vistas. The images include lovers, commuters, tourists, families, and the homeless. From weary strap hangers to languorous ladies in summer dresses to stalking predators, Davidson's compassionate vision illuminates the stubborn survival of humanity. From the spring of 1980 to 1985, Davidson explored and shot 600 miles of subway tracks. In his own words, he "wanted to transform this subway from its dark, degrading, and impersonal reality into images that open up our experience again to the color, sensuality, and vitality of the individual souls that ride it each day." Now nearly 25 years later, and on the eve of the subway's 100th anniversary, St. Ann's Press is publishing a new edition of Davidson's classic book. This edition adds 43 unseen images to the original book, and includes an introduction by Arthur Ollman of the Museum of Photographic Art in San Diego, and a foreword by Fred Braithwaite (aka Fab Five Freddy), the original graffiti artist. It also includes Bruce Davidson and Henry Geldzahler's original essays.
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| Customer Reviews:
 extremely well done, a glance of humanity June 14, 2006
As an amatuer photographer, this is one of my favorite books of all time. It beautifully captures Subway riders in their natural habitat, making outsiders look strikeingly out of place. This book will not disappoint.
 Captivating photographs and interesting dialog July 23, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
If you like street photography done in a dark and gritty fashion, this book is for you. The pictures show life at its most honest moments during the daily commute in the subway. The subjects are quite a collection of characters, covering all ranges of our social stratum. Two years in the making, using the subways during all hours of the day and night, he interacted with a wide range of people, endured muggings and even assisted the police in capturing another mugger in a sting operation.
The most fascinating part of the book, to me, is the dialog that tells about how Bruce did the photography. Armed with two film cameras, a strobe light, and a battery pack- he would either approach the subjects or wait until they sat near him. He would then open up a conversation and get permission for the picture along with promising to send a copy. Because of this approach, his writings have a person touch to them. You'll find some comical twists or an interesting tale about how some of the pictures came about.
You'll find that it is a bit more than a coffee table book. If you're an aspiring photographer- you'll learn some valuable tips on the art and if not, then you'll still enjoy the beautiful photographs.
Very Moving and Beautifully Reproduced Photograghs May 22, 2004
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
In 1980, Bruce Davidson began to photograph the New York subway system. He first started photographing in Black and White and then decided that the project required color. Davidson generally asked permission before photographing someone -- ironically the one notable exception was a man Davidson did not know was blind. It is one of my favorite images (p. 54). He offered to send them a print of the picture. Yet most of the photographs do not appear posed. The breadth of life on the New York subway system is impressive. You will see beautiful women, daring and frightening young men, some violence, people dealing with crowded situations, lonely people, business people, elderly people, musicians, graffiti, people in love, street people, an arrest -- in short the full panoply of life in NYC. It's just wonderful. The images are a bit on the dark side which fits the subject. Davidson used a flash -- as this was necessary. Many of the images have too much flash but I did not find this to be more than a modest distraction.The quality of reproduction is excellent. I learned about the variety of humanity below the ground in New York. The enterprise was not without risk. Someone stole one of Davidson's cameras. The book does not make the NY subway seem to be a safe place but certainly one where it's possible to genuinely connect with the humanity we all share. Highly recommended.
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